Field Conditions:

    a) Starting with 46 lb (21kg) this February hike was about 1/2 mile (0.8 k) on dirt road; 1/2 mile (0.8 k) XC on drifts, through brush and very steep terrain (No, of course we weren't lost--we were giving the Oboz's a specialty workout;) followed by 3 miles (5 k) on punchy snow for Day 1. Day 2 added a mile (1.6 k) on punchy snow. Day 3 was 2.5 miles (4 k) starting off with a foot (30 cm) of gloppy new snow over punchy snow at 7,800' (2,400 m) down to 3" (8 cm) over dirt at 7,000' (2,100 m.) Hiking temperatures ranged from about 55-35 degrees F (13-2 C.)  Snow hiking totaled about 7 miles (11 k.)

    b) This March sequel began at 7,000' (2,100 m) with 44 lb (20 kg) for a walk of about 1 mile (1.6 k) on dirt road to icy drifts followed by 1.5 miles (2.4 k) on snow shoes over rotten snow. Day 2's day hike was about 4 miles (6 k) over rotten snow on snow shoes, from about 7,800' (2,400 m) to 8,200' (2,500 m) up and back. Rotten snow started off day 3 for 1.5 miles (2.4 k) on snow shoes; and then a mile (1.6 k) without snow shoes over icy drifts to dirt. Hiking temperatures ranged from about 60-45 F (16-7 C.) Snow shoe hiking totaled about 8 miles (13 k.)

    This series of 6 short hikes adds 17 miles (27 k) for a total now of 26 miles (42 k) day hiking and 46 miles (74 k) backpacking; grand total of 72 miles (116 k) including 15 miles (24 k) in nasty-wet snow.

Observations:

     On Day 1 of the first hike my heels got wet and some moisture apparently migrated to the bunion box of one shoe. I attribute this to waiting too long to deploy gaiters. Thereafter the longest hike was about two hours on wet snow and the feet stayed completely dry. I would have expected more moisture, which may have developed had the hikes lasted longer. The second trip with snow shoes brought up three hikes of 60-90 minutes each on slushy snow. Bindings kept the shoes wet at the point of contact, but no moisture penetrated and little to none developed internally. Feet stayed comfortably dry and warm without overheating. (Synthetic liner sock under wool mid-weight hiker outer sock.) The outer leather appears to be rather hydrophobic; and where wet did develop, the leather was dry again in the morning. I've done no treatments to prepare the boots for wet hiking.

    With the Oboz's overloaded for both trips I've nothing to add on the rubble isolation issue. Once I got to snow, of course, that issue wasn't.

    My concerns of potentially disabling pronation appear to be unfounded as the Bridgers have not let me down. The post holing and the snow shoe hiking over such terrible snow provided ample and persistent opportunity for a sprain, but none happened. Terrific traction kept me upright when post holing or plowing without snow shoes. I slipped a few times on ice, but I doubt any design of backpacking boot mitigates this circumstance.

    Laces never got enough snow stuck in them to test my hypothesis about difficulty in iced conditions. After getting a bit wet without gaiters on the first leg of the first hike, I never developed the compulsion to test the theory by removing the gaiters to get the laces slush-buggered.

    The tongue nit remains a niggling issue, evidently not so much that I can every time remember to fold the top of the tongue to the outside of the boot. When I forget, that spot at the inside front of my left ankle bone becomes uncomfortable. With the tongue folded out, the fit stays great.

    The loose thread on the top of the tongue continues to have its way. I'll dab a bit of shoe goo on the spot as soon as that thought and the goo location converge.

    I didn't add much mileage (nor corroborating opinion,) but they still don't stink.

Summary:

    I find the Bridgers wonderfully light; adequately supportive and my clear favorite for gross loads under 210 lb (95 kg.) Over that load I begin to feel too much rubble through the sole. Break-in was minimal for me and overall the boots are very comfortable with the exception of one isolated trouble spot at the tongue edge of one shoe. I've had no blisters or defensive taping. Traction's great. Lacing is quite effective, though I find it a bit slow. Lateral support has been satisfactory for me. On short hikes in wet snow I've had no hint of water intrusion and the boots breathed well. One thread has worked loose on a tongue; sole seems to be wearing as I'd expect; and at 72 miles (116 k) the general condition of the boots remains excellent.

    An April 15 (LTR deadline) trip at 7,500' (2,300 m) isn't looking like snow; and I wouldn't expect any new observations from dirt. Perhaps at the end of the season there will be enough miles on the boots to merit a follow-up for granite grip and perhaps any additional observations.

This concludes my Long Term Report and Combined Report. Thank you OBOZ and BGT for the opportunity to test this product!